Aikido is a Japanese martial art developed in the early 20th century by O-sensei Morihei Ueshiba, emphasizing non-violent conflict resolution through blending and redirecting an opponent’s energy, making it a unique and peaceful self-defense practice.
Aikido serves not only as a martial art in promoting wellness and harmony, but also as a means for sharing Japan’s rich culture and history. It illustrates how Aikido evolved into a national sport and activity, spreading to all corners of the world, where it continues to be cherished and practiced by millions today. The art may appear simple in execution, yet it embodies complexity in its underlying philosophy.
Individuals can learn a technique in a single lesson, but mastering it requires many years of dedicated practice. No one can claim to have grasped all that Aikido offers; even our founder persisted in refining his skills until the very end. It was with this ethos in mind that Village Aikido came into existence.
Philosophy
Aikido also encompasses a profound philosophical dimension, emphasizing that direct confrontation is often not the most favorable path. Harmony is deeply ingrained in Aikido’s teachings, setting it apart from many other martial arts. Nearly every movement in Aikido seeks to harmonize with the opponent. Once harmony is achieved, the Aikidoka can then redirect and control their adversary to their advantage. As one wise Sensei once said “The Aikidoka or nage departs with the aggressor, aka uke, neutralized but uninjured.” He added, “if you seek to exercise and perspire to lose weight, go to the gym. If you want to develop and unite your body into a harmonious source of power, join us in Aikido.”
In Aikido, the essence of the Japanese warrior’s spirit, known as ‘Budo’, is reflected in the execution of each technique. An insightful teacher once shared with me the concept of ’The warrior’s mind”, comprised of three facets:
‘Isshin’ : The warrior seeks every non-violent means to resolve a situation to the best of their ability.
‘Mushin’: When all non-violent methods are exhausted, and no resolution is reached, the warrior cleans their mind of all non-essential thoughts. They immerse themselves in the knowledge of the art and execute with complete physical and mental focus. Years of practice and training prepare them for this moment.
‘Zanshin’: Even after resolution, the warrior remains in a heightened state of awareness, prepared for any unforeseen distraction. This is a state of relaxed alertness.
